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The Town of Ajax Engineering Design Criteria and Standard Drawings are intended to provide guidance for developers, consulting engineers and contractors engaged in design and construction within the Town of Ajax.

These documents establish the minimum engineering design criteria and standards related to all roads, bridges, storm sewers, stormwater management ponds, fencing, street lighting, sidewalks, utilities, lot grading and drainage, capital projects, commercial and industrial site plans and residential subdivisions.
Changes and revisions will be made to the Town of Ajax Engineering Design Criteria and Standard Drawings from time to time. It is the responsibility of the user to obtain and reference the latest version of the documents available.

A yellow digger is parked near several small piles of earth marked with stakes on a gravelled lot.

Engineering Resources

Geodetic benchmarks set the horizontal and vertical position for a specific point. The Town maintains a database of these points.

Use the Geodetic Benchmark Map to locate the benchmark. To find elevation and location refer to the Geodetic Benchmark Report.

Town of Ajax is committed to improving the water quality of our creeks and the local aquatic environments through the promotion and adoption of sustainable development practices within the Town. Studies of urban watersheds around the world have identified construction sites as being a significant contributor to stormwater pollution in our neighbourhoods, with the principle contaminant being soil; commonly referred to as “sediment”. Sediment loading negatively affects fish habitat and ecosystems. Sediment also carries other pollutants such as E. coli and phosphorous that are negatively affecting the water quality at our beaches and the nearshore of Lake Ontario.

While the nature of development and construction exposes large quantities and areas of soil to the elements; these sites when managed appropriately, can significantly reduce the pollutant loading in the stormwater run-off leaving the sites during rain events.
Sediment and erosion control measures are to be used for all construction sites to limit the effects of the proposed construction on the surrounding areas and infrastructure. The extent and durability of the required measures is determined by the sensitivity of the area that is to be protected.

The Town’s strategy to managing this pollutant source is the Sediment and Erosion Control By-law. The by-law sets out mandatory requirements for site planning and the adoption of best management practices during construction.

Stormwater management involves using various techniques and practices to capture, treat, and store runoff water before it enters our waterways. This can help reduce the negative impacts of stormwater on the environment and protect water quality.

The Town of Ajax completed the Stormwater Funding Feasibility Study to review and recommend a sustainable and reliable funding source to support the Town’s current and future stormwater management program.

Click here to find out more information about the Stormwater Funding Implementation process and Stormwater Fee.

Overview

A Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) is a five phase study that identifies potential positive and negative effects of municipal capital projects such as roads, water and wastewater.

The process reviews impacts on the natural and social environment, including impacts to plants and animals, traffic patterns, and to residents and businesses in the community. This process helps to stop any negative impacts that may be found during the review.

Process

In Ontario, municipal EAs follow the Municipal Engineers Association document “Municipal Class Environmental Assessment,” (October 2000, amended 2007).
Public consultation is an important part of the EA process. In Ajax we host Public Information Centres or PIC’s in the community as well as consult directly with municipal councils, review agencies, interest groups, and property owners.

For more information on the process, please read the Class Environmental Assessment Process Guide.

Design Guidelines

Design Guidelines are intended to promote high quality urban design by providing a clear understanding and examples of how urban design principles are to be incorporated through the development or redevelopment of properties and buildings within the Town of Ajax.
The design guidelines listed below will assist property owners in the preparation of development applications submitted to the Town:

Design Guidelines for Employment Areas

The Town of Ajax Employment Areas Urban Design Guidelines were approved in 2006 and provides a clear understanding of the urban design criteria to be incorporated within development applications located within the Town’s Employment Areas.

Design Guidelines for Vehicle Gas Bars and Service Centres

The Town of Ajax Urban Design Guidelines for Motor Vehicle Gas Bars and Service Stations were approved in 2006 and provides a clear understanding of the urban design criteria to be incorporated within development applications proposing gas bars, service stations and associated uses, such as car washes, restaurants, convenience stores and drive-thru facilities.

Design / Built Form Guidelines for Pickering Village

The Urban Design and Built Form Guidelines for Pickering Village were approved in 2008 and provides direction for development applications located within Pickering Village. The Guidelines are a companion document to support the Pickering Village Community Improvement Plan and the Pickering Village Heritage Conservation District Plan.